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Royals' opener brings back happy memories for Gardy

4/4/13: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire discusses the big hits his team is getting from its young players following the 8-2 win

By Robert Falkoff
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Special to MLB.com |

KANSAS CITY -- The home-opener festivities for the Royals on Monday sparked some happy memories for manager Ron Gardenhire.

It was on Opening Day 2002, in Kansas City, that Gardenhire made his managerial debut. The first batter on the Gardenhire watch was Jacque Jones, who promptly homered to left-center off Jeff Suppan. The Twins went on to an 8-6 victory.

"I've got a huge picture in my office of Jacque hitting the leadoff home run," Gardenhire said. "I see that all the time, and we talk about it all the time. First day as a manager, how exciting it was. It was a great way to start it."